Vehicle leveler system

ABSTRACT

A system for leveling vehicles such as those used for family camping employs a plurality of jacks secured to the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle. The jacks are adjustable in length and are pivoted to the front and rear bumpers and have a ground engaging fulcrum portion. When the vehicle is driven against the jacks, it tends to rotate the jacks into a vertical condition around the ground engaging ends of the jacks, and thereby partially lifts the vehicle off its spring suspension an amount corresponding to the height of the jack. To restore the vehicle to its operating condition, it need only be driven in a reverse direction, rotating the jacks out of their vertical condition and restoring the full weight of the vehicle to its spring suspension.

Newcomb, Jr.

[ 51 May 6,1975

1 VEHICLE LEVELER SYSTEM [76] Inventor: C. Lewis Newcomb, Jr., 520 11thAve., Haddon Heights, NJ. 08035 221 Filed: Dec. 19, 1972 211 App]. No.:316,472

[52] U.S. Cl. 280/1505; 248/354 P; 254/94; 296/23 R [51] Int. Cl. B6059/02 [58] Field of Search 280/1505, 475; 296/23 R; 254/94; 248/354 R[56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,718,657 6/1929 Manny254/94 2,190,489 2/1940 Sellinger 254/94 X 2,343,459 3/1944 3,093,362 6/1963 Schaefer 3,355,136 11/1967 Staples 3,744,757 7/1973 White et al.254/94 Primary ExaminerLeo Friaglia Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Morton C.Jacobs 5 7 ABSTRACT A system for leveling vehicles such as those usedfor family camping employs a plurality of jacks secured to the front andrear bumpers of the vehicle. The jacks are adjustable in length and arepivoted to the front and rear bumpers and have a ground engaging fulcrumportion. When the vehicle is driven against the jacks, it tends torotate the jacks into a vertical condition around the ground engagingends of the jacks, and thereby partially lifts the vehicle off itsspring suspension an amount corresponding to the height of the jack. Torestore the vehicle to its operating condition,

it need only be driven in a reverse direction, rotating the jacks out oftheir vertical condition and restoring the full weight of the vehicle toits spring suspension.

3,489,428 1/1970 Hunter ct 280/1505 3,655,220 4/1972 Rodgers 280/475 5Claims, 6 Drawing Figures VEHICLE LEVELER SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a system for leveling vehicles suchas those used for family camping and mobile homes.

Family campers and mobile homes customarily require leveling when set upfor overnight in campgrounds or similar tourist grounds. The ground isusually quite uneven or inclined, and, unless the vehible can beleveled, the living facilities (e.g. beds, floors, sinks) areunpleasantly out of level.

Hydraulic jacks located at the four corners of the vehicle have beenused to raise portions of the vehicle to achieve the desired levelcondition. However, such jacks are usually quite expensive, and manycampers resort to chocking up the wheels of the tilted vehicle tocorrect its out-of-level condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is among the objects of thisinvention to provide a new and improved vehicle leveler system. Anotherobject is to provide a vehicle leveler system which is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture and use.

Another object is to provide a vehicle leveler for over-the-roadvehicles used for camping or as mobile homes to provide quick andreliable leveling of the vehicle.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a vehicle levelersystem employs a plurality of jacks, one at each corner of theover-the-road vehicle and attached to the spring-suspended vehicle body.For example, the jacks may be attached to the ends of the front and rearbumpers. Each jack includes two members, one telescoping within theother for adjustment of the height of the jack. One of the members has aground-engaging fulcrum portion at its lower end, and the other memberis pivotally secured to the bumper at its upper end. In use, the jackmembers are individually adjusted to overall lengths that provide thedesired height of the-spring-suspended vehicle in the level condition.In this adjusted condition, generally all of the jacks extend a greateramount than the height of the bumper of the vehicle in its normalunleveled condition.

These jacks are all oriented to extend in the same direction, eithertilting forwardly or rearwardly from the vehicle. The vehicle isoperated to be driven in the direction of the jacks so that they arepivoted into vertical condition about the ground-engaging end. As thejacks are tilted vertically, they elevate the springsuspended vehicledifferent amounts to bring it into the required level condition.Similarly, to restore the vehicle to its normal driving conditions, itneed only be driven in the reverse direction rotating the jacks out oftheir vertical condition to restore the full weight of thespring-suspended vehicle to its spring mounting. During normal drivingof the vehicle, the jacks may be moved up out of the way and thereretained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The foregoing and other objects of thisinvention, the various features thereof, as well as the inventionitself, will be more fully understood from the following description,when read together with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a leveler system embodying thisinvention, illustrating as attached to a bumper of a camper vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle of FIG. 1, with the leveler systemsuspending the vehicle in level condition;

FIG. 3 is a front view of one of the jacks used in the leveler system ofFIG. 1, with parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper tubular member of the jack ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lower tubular member of the jack ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the lower end of the jack member of FIG. 5.

In the drawing, corresponding parts are referenced throughout by similarnumerals.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The vehicle 10, illustratedschematically in FIG. 1, may be a conventional family camper, a mobilehome, or any other vehicle used to provide living quarters when parked.The vehicle is equipped with the leveler system of this invention, whichincludes a plurality of jacks 12, 14, 16 secured to the frame of thevehicle and preferably two jacks each to the front and rear bumpers l8and 20 near the ends thereof, as shown for the front bumper 18 in FIG.1.

Each jack is formed of two tubular members 22 and 24, with the lower one24 telescoping within the upper one 22. The members are formed inrectangular shape in order to prevent relative rotation. Holes 26 and 28through the side walls 30 and 32 of the upper member 22 slidably receivea pin 34 which also passes through an aligned one of a series ofadjustment holes 36, 38, 40 in the side wall 42 of the lower member.

The pin 34 is connected integrally, in one form of the invention, with aU-shaped handle 43, the upper arm 44 of which is guided in a hole 46 inthe side wall 32 of the upper member 22. The pin 34 is biased by aspring 48 compressed between the inner surface of wall 32 and a stop 50on the pin 34 to maintain the pin normally engaged through one of theholes 36 to 40 in the lower member 24, and through the aligned hole 26in member 22. Bearing bushings 52 surround holes 26 and 28 on oppositesides of member 22 and provide bearing support for pin 34, and bushing53 at hole 46 guides handle arm 44. A T-shaped handle for the pin 34 hasalso been found to be suitable.

An A-shaped angle 54 is formed at the lower end of the lower member 24and serves as an angulated edge to bits into the ground in the jackingoperation and to serve as a fulcrum for elevating the vehicle. Otherground-engaging shapes may also be used for this purpose.

The upper member 22 is pivotally suspended by means of a bolt 56 whichpasses through a pair of aligned holes 58 and 60 in the side walls 30and 32 and through the legs of a U-channel hanger 62. The hanger isitself pivotally suspended by a swivel bolt 64 which passes through theweb of the hanger 62 and through a frame portion of the vehicle, such asa horizontal bar of the bumper 18, which is spring-suspended on theaxles of the vehicle. The bolt 64 is secured to the bumper 18 by meansof a lock washer and nut 66, and a suitale bearing such as a nylonwasher (not shown) is provided between the web of the hanger 62 and thebumper 18; thereby the bolt 64 provides a vertical swivel pin for thejack, which assists in moving the jack out of the way when not in use.

In use, four such jacks 12, 14, 16 are provided for the four corners ofthe vehicle. In ordinary use the vehicle, such as a family camper, mustoften be parked on uneven or inclined ground so that the floors, beds,sinks and other facilities of the vehicle are tilted unpleasantly or sothat they do not function unless the vehicle is properly restored tosubstantially level condition. The operator is able to approximate theamount of leveling required at each comer of the vehicle and to adjustthe jack for each comer by extending the lower member 24 a suitableamount as indicated by the location of the bottom edge of member 22 withrespect to a graduated scale 66 along the front face 68 of the lowermember. By adjustment of the pin 34 with the handle 42, the operatorsets the adjustment of the two members to the desired telescopedextension. Each jack may be individually adjusted to a lengthappropriate for the desired upward lifting of the vehicle (e.g. a matterof a few inches). Generally, each of the jacks is adjusted to a lengthgreater than the normal height of its bumper above the ground when thevehicle is in its normal condition of suspension from its spring mounts,whereby a lifting action takes place at all four corners.

Prior to the lifting operation, the jacks are tilted to project in thesame direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the jacks 12 and 14 aretilted to project forwardly of the vehicle, and similarly the jacks 16on the rear bumper 20 are tilted forwardly. The vehicle is then drivenforwardly, and as it moves it tends to rotate the jacks 12, 14 and 16about the edge of the groundengaging angle 54, which acts as a fulcrum.In rotating the jacks to a vertical condition (as illustrated in FIG.2),the spring-suspended frame of the vehicle rides up onto the jacks andsits there, with the heights of the corners of the vehicle adjusted tothe heights established by the jacks. All four wheels continue to reston the ground. Thereby, the vehicle is retained in substantially levelcondition. Alternatively, the jacks may all be set up initially toproject in the rearward direction (opposite to that shown in FIG. 1) andthe vehicle driven in reverse to raise the heights of its corners to thedifferent lengths of the jacks, thereby leveling it.

To restore the vehicle to the normal driving condition, it is driven inthe reverse direction from that in which it was raised (or, whereappropriate, it may be driven further in the same direction as that inwhich it was raised), to rotate the jacks out of the vertical conditionand restore the vehicle to the condition in which its weight is fullysupported by its spring suspension. If the initial leveling operationdoes not produce the desired fully level condition, the vehicle may bedriven off the jacks, the lengths of the jacks readjusted appropriately,and the vehicle then driven back up on the jacks. Since this operationis a relatively simple one to perform, it may be repeated until thedesired leveling is achieved.

When not in use, the jack may be rotated ninety degrees about thevertical swivel bolt 64 so that the axis of the bolt 56 extends alongthe forward axis 'of the vehicle. Then the jack 12 may be rotated aboutthe horizontal pivot bolt 56 to extend along the bumper 18 in agenerally horizontal condition. An appropriate spring detent (not shown)may be provided on the bumper for retaining the jack in the horizontalout-of-the-way condition, or other suitable securing means may be usedto tie or otherwise retain it in that condition.

The jack as illustrated is rotatable about the pivot bolt 64, eitherforwardly or rearwardly, depending upon the initial tilted condition inwhich the jack is set up. Alternatively, a stop plate may be attached tothe hanger 62 to extend between the two legs thereof and downsufficiently to be in the way of the upper member 22. Thereby, when thejack is rotated into the vertical condition, it will hit against thestop plate to cue the driver of the vehicle to the fact that the jacksare then in the vertical condition and prevent the vehicle from beingoverdriven beyond the vertical. Because of the swivel bolt 64, the jacksmay be rotated for either forward or reverse operation of the vehicleduring lifting.

Thus it is seen that a new and improved vehicle leveler system isprovided by means of this invention. It is formed of easily fabricatedparts which may be constructed of steel and are thereby relativelyinexpensive. The attachment of the jacks to a vehicle is readilyperformed and does not require any special skills, and the mechanisms ofthe jacks are quite simple so that the jacks do not require servicing.Thus the vehicle leveler system of this invention is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture and use, and provides quick and reliableleveling of vehicles such as family campers in campgrounds.

This invention provides a quick and effective vehicle leveler systemwhich is useful for motor homes, pick-up campers and camper van whichare self-propelled as a transporting vehicle and therefore must be movedfrequently in and out of the campground position, in which they havebeen leveled. The leveling for a new campsite is relatively quick, asdescribed above, and quite often only two jacks are required, either atthe forward or rear bumper, to achieve the desired leveled condition ata particular campsite. Though four jacks, as described above, arepreferred since, for example, the two left side jacks (or two right sidejacks) may be required for a particular instance, for many uses twojacks may be sufficient. Moreover, in use, once a correct adjustment ofthe jacks is made for a campsite, and the vehicle is moved forsightseeing or shopping and is returned to its parking space, no furtheradjustment is required. For the jacks, when the vehicle is moved, aresimply rotated about swivel 64 and then out of the way about pivot bolt56 and secured to the bumper for storage without changing the jackadjustment. Thus, this adjustment is retained when the vehicle isreturned to the same spot, and the jacks need only be lowered, and thevehicle is driven up on to them.

Other forms of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart from the above description. For example, the ground-engaging angle54 may be formed as an inverted U-shape or an inverted cup shaped, orother shapes suitable for providing a good frictional engagement withthe ground during the jacking operation may be employed. Similarly, thetubular telescoping members may take various shapes, the lengthadjustment and other features may be achieved and constructed in variousways, all within the skill of the art and within the spirit of thisinvention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A leveler system for an over-the-road vehicle having a springsuspended frame comprising, in combination with said vehicle: aplurality of jack devices each having an adjustable length, said jackdevices each including a plurality of telescoping members,

a lower ground-engaging portion on each said device,

said ground engaging portion on the lower of said jack members having anedge for frictionally engaging the ground during rotation of the jackdevice tothe vertical condition,

and means for pivotally securing the upper portion of each said jackdevice to the spring suspended frame of the vehicle adjacent a differentcomer thereof,

said pivot securing means including means attachable to the bumper ofthe vehicle for suspending the upper of said telescoping members torotate around a horizontal and vertical axis,

so that said vehicle can be partially elevated for leveling variousamounts at each corner by driving the jack devices in the direction ofmovement of said vehicle for rotation of the lengths thereof to avertical condition with a partial extension of the spring frame of saidvehicle, and said vehicle can be restored to normal over-the-roadcondition by driving said jack devices for rotation of the lengthsthereof to be inclined to the vertical.

2. A leveler system for over-the-road vehicles as recited in claim 1wherein bumper attachable means includes a vertical swivel connectingmeans for rotating said jack device about a vertical axis.

3. A leveler system for over-the-road vehicles having a spring suspendedframe comprising:

a jack device having an adjustable length,

a lower ground-engaging portion on said device having an edge forfrictionally engaging the ground during rotation of the jack device tothe vertical condition,

and means for pivotally securing the upper portion of said jack deviceto the spring suspended frame of the vehicle, so that with a pluralityof said jack devices at different corners of the vehicle, the latter canbe partially elevated for leveling various amounts at each corner bydriving the jack devices in the direction of movement of said vehicle torotate said jack devices with their lengths in a vertical condition witha partial extension of the spring frame of said vehicle, and can berestored to normal over-the-road condition by driving said jack devicesfor rotation of the lengths thereof to be inclined to the vertical;

said securing meansincluding means attachable to the vehicles bumper forsuspending the upper of said telescoping members to rotate around avertical and horizontal axis so that when not in use said jack devicecan be stored along said bumper.

4. A leveler system for over-the-road vehicles as recited in claim 3,wherein bumper attachable means includes a vertical swivel connectingmeans for rotating said jack device about said vertical axis.

5. A leveler system for over-the-road vehicles as recited in claim 4 andcomprising a plurality of said jack devices.

1. A leveler system for an over-the-road vehicle having a springsuspended frame comprising, in combination with said vehicle: aplurality of jack devices each having an adjustable length, said jackdevices each including a plurality of telescoping members, a lowerground-engaging portion on each said device, said ground engagingportion on the lower of said jack members having an edge forfrictionally engaging the ground during rotation of the jack device tothe vertical condition, and means for pivotally securing the upperportion of each said jack device to the spring suspended frame of thevehicle adjacent a different corner thereof, said pivot securing meansincluding means attachable to the bumper of the vehicle for suspendingthe upper of said telescoping members to rotate around a horizontal andvertical axis, so that said vehicle can be partially elevated forleveling various amounts at each corner by driving the jack devices inthe direction of movement of said vehicle for rotation of the lengthsthereof to a vertical condition with a partial extension of the springframe of said vehicle, and said vehicle can be restored to normalover-the-road condition by driving said jack devices for rotation of thelengths thereof to be inclined tO the vertical.
 2. A leveler system forover-the-road vehicles as recited in claim 1 wherein bumper attachablemeans includes a vertical swivel connecting means for rotating said jackdevice about a vertical axis.
 3. A leveler system for over-the-roadvehicles having a spring suspended frame comprising: a jack devicehaving an adjustable length, a lower ground-engaging portion on saiddevice having an edge for frictionally engaging the ground duringrotation of the jack device to the vertical condition, and means forpivotally securing the upper portion of said jack device to the springsuspended frame of the vehicle, so that with a plurality of said jackdevices at different corners of the vehicle, the latter can be partiallyelevated for leveling various amounts at each corner by driving the jackdevices in the direction of movement of said vehicle to rotate said jackdevices with their lengths in a vertical condition with a partialextension of the spring frame of said vehicle, and can be restored tonormal over-the-road condition by driving said jack devices for rotationof the lengths thereof to be inclined to the vertical; said securingmeans including means attachable to the vehicle''s bumper for suspendingthe upper of said telescoping members to rotate around a vertical andhorizontal axis so that when not in use said jack device can be storedalong said bumper.
 4. A leveler system for over-the-road vehicles asrecited in claim 3, wherein bumper attachable means includes a verticalswivel connecting means for rotating said jack device about saidvertical axis.
 5. A leveler system for over-the-road vehicles as recitedin claim 4 and comprising a plurality of said jack devices.